Former British boxing champion accused of helping men flee to Syria to fight with ISIS

Court: Former British boxing champion Anthony Small has appeared in court accused of helping two men flee to Syria (Image: PA)

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A former British boxing champion has appeared in court accused of helping two men flee to Syria to fight with Islamic State.

Anthony Small, 33, who won both the British and Commonwealth championships in 2009, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court alongside five other men to face terror and fraud offences.

Small, of Southend Lane, Beckenham, who was wearing a white bandage on one of his arms, allegedly helped Michael Coe, 33, of Central Park Drive, East Ham and Simon Keeler 43, of Solander Gardens, Shadwell, east London, attempt to travel to Syria.

Coe and Keeler were arrested at Dover on November 30, the court heard.

Former Champ: Anthony Small has appeared in court accused of helping two men flee to Syria to fight with Islamic State (Image: PA)

All three men are charged with preparation, and assisting others in preparation, of acts of terrorism, support of a proscribed organisation, and conspiracy to possess false identity documents.

Zagum Perviaz, 35, of Frinton Road, East Ham, and Hamzah Safdar, 24, of Cecil Road, Upton Park, east London, are charged with conspiring to possess and produce false identity documents.

Abdulraouf Eshati, 28, of no fixed address, is charged with possession of articles in connection to the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism and offences under the Immigration Act 1971.

Tony Lodge, for Coe, Small and Keeler, told the court that they preferred to remain standing throughout the hearing for religious reasons.

District Judge Margot Coleman referred all six cases to the Old Bailey on January 9. All six were remanded in custody.